Ocean sunfish (Mola mola)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mola mola
- Common name
- Ocean sunfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Molidae
- Genus
- Mola
- Size
- 180–330 cm
- Depth
- 0–800 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Mola mola reaches 3.3 m and over 2 tons, one of world's heaviest bony fish. Sunfish (Molidae) cosmopolitan temperate to tropical with compressed discoid body silvery to gray with reduced tail in pseudo-caudal (clavus), small mouth, large eyes. Lives from 0 to 800 m in pelagic open water, surfaces to be cleaned by banner fish and seagulls. Feeds on jellyfish. IUCN Vulnerable (bycatch, collisions). Mythical dive photo subject at Galapagos, Bali (Crystal Bay), San Diego. Legendary encounter.
Photo of Ocean sunfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Ocean sunfish?
- Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) reaches 180–330 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Ocean sunfish?
- Ocean sunfish is found between 0–800 m deep.
- Is the Ocean sunfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Ocean sunfish?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Ocean sunfish?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean, Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Mola
Other species in the family Molidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 127405)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5213725)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia